Ignition switch control

ABSTRACT

Disclosed herein is a control for an ignition switch including a projecting part adapted to extend through an opening in a support and having a rotary member adapted to receive a key for common rotation therewith between an &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;on&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; and an &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;off&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; position. The control comprises a housing mounted on the projecting part, a rotor located in the housing for limited rotary movement between &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;cocked&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; and &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;uncocked&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; positions and including a wall extending transversely of the rotary axis of the member and having therein an aperture including angularly spaced edges located to permit unhindered movement of the key between the off and on positions when the rotor is in the cocked position and to provide movement of the key from the on to the off position in response to movement of the rotor from the cocked to the uncocked position, a spring washer frictionally restraining rotary movement of the rotor relative to the housing, and a lanyard extending into the housing and connected to the rotor for common movement therewith, whereby to rotate the rotor from the cocked position to the uncocked position in response to withdrawal of the lanyard from the housing and thereby to consequently rotate the key from the on position to the off position.

United States Patent 11 1 Borst et al.

1 IGNITION SWITCH CONTROL [751 Inventors: Gaylord M. Borst, Waukegan;

Donald C. Nielsen, Zion, both of 111.

[73} Assignee: Outboard Marine Corporation,

Waukegan, Ill.

22 Filed: June 27, 1974 211 Appl.No:483,700

Prinmry E.\amin0rHerman Hohauser Attorney, Again, 0r FirmMiehael, Best & Friedrich [57] ABSTRACT Disclosed herein is a control for an ignition switch in- 1 1 Aug. 5, 1975 eluding a projecting part adapted to extend through an opening in a support and having a rotary member adapted to receive a key for common rotation therewith between an on' and an *off position.

The control comprises a housing mounted on the projecting part, a rotor located in the housing for limited rotary movement between cocked and uncocked positions and including a wall extending transversely of the rotary axis of the member and having therein an aperture including angularly spaced edges located to permit unhindered movement of the key between the off and on positions when the rotor is in the cocked position and to provide movement of the key from the on to the off position in response to movement of the rotor from the cocked to the uncocked position, a spring washer frictionally restraining rotary movement of the rotor relative to the housing, and a lanyard extending into the housing and connected to the rotor for common movement therewith. whereby to rotate the rotor from the cocked position to the uncocked position in response to withdrawal of the lanyard from the housing and thereby to consequently rotate the key from the on position to the off position.

8 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures PATENTED AUG 75 IGNITION SWITCH CONTROL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention relates generally to control devices for ignition switches such as are used on outboard motors and the like and on other vehicles. Attention is directed to the Horton U.S. Pat. No. 3,786,892 issued Jan. 22, 1974, which patent discloses a safety cut-off device for an ignition switch. It is noted that, in the Horton patent, any movement of either the key or the control member (53 in Horton) causes corresponding movement of the other. Thus operation of the key between off and on positions necessarily causes movement of the control member and is therefore subject to increased possibility of difficulty.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the invention there is provided a control device which includes a housing adapted to be fixedly mounted on an ignition switch, together with a rotor structure which is rotatable within the housing and through a limited range between a cocked and an uncocked position and which is connected to one end of a lanyard or other flexible member which extends from the housing and which moves in common with the rotor structure. In addition, the rotor structure includes an aperture through which a key can be passed into the ignition switch, which aperture includes angularly spaced edge means located to permit unhindered movement of the key between the off and on positions when the rotor structure is in the cocked position and to provide movement of the key from the on position to the off position in response to movement of the rotor structure from the cocked position to the uncocked position.

In further accordance with the invention, means are provided for limiting angular movement between the rotor structure and the housing and for frictionally restraining relative rotative movement between the rotor structure and the housing. Thus, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the rotor structure is movable relative to the housing only in the event of the application of force in excess of the frictional restraint applied by a spring washer.

In further accordance with the invention, means are provided for preventing relative rotation between the housing and the ignition switch.

In still further accordance with the invention, there is provided retainer means on a projecting part of the switch for fixing the housing relative to the switch main body and for retaining the rotor structure within the housing while preventing relative rotation therebetween, together with spring means located between the retaining means and the housing and bearing against the rotor structure for frictionally restraining rotary movement thereof relative to the housing.

One of the principal features of the invention is the provision of a control device for an ignition switch in which unhindered movement of the ignition key between the on and off positions is permitted when the control device is in a cocked position.

Another of the principal features of the invention is the provision ofa device as referred to in the preceding paragraph and including a rotor structure movable relative to a housing. and means for frictionally restraining relative rotary movement of the rotor relative to the housing.

Another of the principal features of the invention is the provision of a safety control for an ignition switch, which control is of improved construction, which can be readily and economically manufactured, and which will provide reliable service over a long and useful life. Other features and advantages of the invention will become known by reference to the following drawings, general description and claims.

DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevational view, partially in section and with parts omitted, of a control device embodying various of the features of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view, partially in section, of the control device shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is another view, partially broken away and in section, of the control device shown in FIG. 1.

Before explaining the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and arrangements of parts set forth in the following general description or illustrated in the accompanying drawings, since the invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION Shown in the drawings is a device 11 for automatically turning off the ignition switch of an outboard motor or other such device in the event the operator falls out of the boat or otherwise.

The device 11 is intended to be mounted on an ignition switch 13 of the general type including a main body 15 housing a conventional ignition switch mechanism (not illustrated) and a generally cylindrical part 17 which projects from the main body 15, which is adapted to extend through an opening or aperture 21 in a support 23, such as a boat dashboard, which is preferably generally cylindrical and is threaded (except for a flat 25) and which includes a slotted member 27 adapted to receive a key 29 and to be rotated between an on position and an off position.

The device 11 includes a housing 31 having an annular base portion 33 and a peripheral flange 35 extending from the circumference of the base portion 33. The central aperture 37 defined by the annular base portion 33 permits telescopic mounting of the housing 31 on the projecting part 17 of the ignition switch 13 on the side of the support 23 remote from the ignition switch main body 15. In addition, and in accordance with the invention, the projecting part 17 of the ignition switch 13 and the annular base portion include respective flats 25 and 39 which cooperate with each other to prevent relative rotation between the housing 31 and the ignition switch 13. Various other arrangements can also be employed to prevent relative rotation between the ignition switch 13 and the housing 31.

The flange 35 also incorporates an opening or slot 41 through which a lanyard 43 or other flexible member extends into the housing 31.

Rotatably contained in the housing 31 is a rotor assembly or structure 51 including a rotor element 53 and a plate or wall 55 fixed to the rotor element 53. More specifically, the rotor element 53 includes an annular base portion 57 permitting assembly of the rotor structure 51 within the housing 31 in telescopic relation to the projecting part 17 of the ignition switch 13 and in adjacent relation to the base portion 33 of the housing 31.

Extending from the rotor base portion 57 is an annular flange 59 including a groove 61 which receives a portion of the lanyard 43. Also included in the flange 59 is an enlarged area 63 for containing a lanyard knot 65 or other arrangement for connecting the end of the lanyard 43 to the rotor structure 51 so that the end of the lanyard 43 and the rotor structure 51 have common movement.

In further accordance with the invention, means are provided for limiting angular movement of the rotor structure 51 relative to the housing 31 and relative to the ignition switch 13 so as to determine the cocked and uncocked position of the rotor structure 51. While various arrangements can be employed, in the illustrated construction, such means comprises an elongated arcuate slot 67 in the base portion 33 of the housing 31 and a lug 69 which extends from the base portion 57 of the rotor structure 51 into the slot 67.

The rotor structure 51 and housing 31 are retained in assembled relation to the ignition switch 13 and the ignition switch 13 is retained in mounted relation to the support 23 by means in the form of a nut 71 which is threaded on the projecting part 17 outwardly of the rotor structure 51 and which includes an inner reduced portion 73 which extends through the central aperture of the annular rotor base portion 57 and which engages the base portion 33 of the housing 31. Thus, tightening of the nut 71 secures together the housing 31, the support 23, and the ignition switch 13 while also retaining the rotor structure 51 in assembled relation to the housing 31 and while permitting limited rotation of the rotor structure 51 within the housing 31.

In still further accordance with the invention, means are provided for frictionally restraining relative rotary movement of the rotor structure 51 relative to the housing 31. While various arrangements can be employed, in the illustrated construction, a spring washer 75 is employed between the nut 71 and the base portion 57 of the rotor element 53 to provide a degree of frictional restraint to rotation, i.e., to prevent rotation of the rotor structure 51 in the absence of a force supplied by the lanyard 43 or in the absence of a force supplied by the key 29.

Fixed, as by screws 77 or otherwise to the rotor element 53 for common rotation therewith and in cover ing relation to the outer end of the projecting part 17 of the ignition switch 13 is the transversely extending plate or wall 55 including a centrally located aperture 79 including angularly spaced edge means located to permit unhindered movement of the key 29 between the off and on positions when the rotor structure 51 is in the cocked position and to cause movement of the key 29 from the on position to the off position in response to movement of the rotor structure 51 from the cocked position to the uncocked position. Accordingly, and in accordance with the invention, the aperture 79 includes two diametrically opposed and symmetrically arranged segments 81 and 83 located concentrically with respect to the rotary axis of the member 27. In each segment, the edge means includes angularly spaced first and second edges 85 and 87 located. when the rotor structure 51 is in the cocked position. such that the first edges 85 are adjacent to the key 29 when the key 29 is in the on position and such that the second edges 87 are adjacent to the key 29 when the key 29 is in the off position.

When the key 29 is in the off position (shown in FIG. 2) and the rotor structure 51 is in the uncocked position, the edges are adjacent to the key 29. Thus, clockwise rotation of the key 29 from the off to the on position will automatically cock or displace the rotor structure 51 in the clockwise direction to the cocked position in which the rotor structure 51 is releasably held by the spring washer 75. The housing 31 can also be manually cocked from the uncocked to the cocked position shown in FIG. 2 by manipulation of a pair of lugs 76 extending through the plate 55 from the rotor element 53. Thereafter, should the lanyard 43 be pulled, the rotor structure 51 will rotate in the counterclockwise direction as shown in the drawings to the uncocked position and will displace the key 29 from the on position to the off position.

Further with respect to operation, when the rotor structure 51 is in the cocked position, the key 29 may be manually moved between the off and on positions without engagement with or actuation of the rotor structure 51. However, when the rotor structure 51 is in the cocked position and if the,key 29 is in the on position and the lanyard 43 is pulled, the rotor structure 51 will rotate to the uncocked position, thereby displacing the key 29 to the off position and consequently turning off the ignition switch 13. However, as has been pointed out, when the rotor structure is in the cocked position, the key 29 may be operatively moved between the off and the on positions without hindrance by the rotor structure 51 and without actuation of the device.

Various of the features of the invention are set forth in the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A control for an ignition switch including a projecting part adapted to extend through an opening in a support and having a rotary member adapted to receive a key for common rotation therewith between on and off positions, said control comprising a housing mounted on the projecting part, a rotor structure located in said housing for rotary movement between cocked and uncocked positions and including a wall extending transversely of the rotary axis of the member and having therein an aperture including angularly spaced edge means located to permit unhindered movement of the key between the off and on positions when said rotor structure is in the cooked position and to provide movement of the key from the on to the off position in response to movement of said rotor structure from the cocked to the uncocked position, and a lanyard extending into said housing and connected to said rotor structure for common movement therewith, whereby to rotate said rotor structure from the cocked position to the uncocked position in response to with drawal of said lanyard from said housing and thereby to consequently rotate the key from the on position to the off position.

2. A control in accordance with claim 1 and further including means for limiting rotary movement of the rotor structure relative to the housing between the cocked and uncocked positions.

3. A control in accordance with claim 1 wherein said aperture includes two diametrically opposed and symmetrically arranged segments arranged concentrically with respect to the rotary axis of the member and wherein said edge means includes, for each of said segments, angularly spaced first and second edges located so that when said rotor structure is in the cooked position and the key is in the on position, said first edges are adjacent to the key and so that when the rotor structure is in the cocked position and the key is in the off position said second edges are located adjacent to the key.

4. A control in accordance with claim 1 and further including means for preventing relative rotation between said housing and said switch.

5. A control in accordance with claim 1 and further including means on said part for maintaining said rotor structure and said housing in assembled relation on said part.

6. A control in accordance with claim 1 and further including spring means for frictionally restraining rotary movement of said rotor structure relative to said housing.

7. A control in accordance with claim 1 and further including retaining means on the projecting part for fixing said housing relative to the switch and for permitting rotation of said rotor structure relative to and within said housing, and means located between said retaining means and said housing and bearing against said rotor structure for frictionally restraining rotary movement thereof relative to said housing.

8. A control in accordance with claim 1 wherein said housing includes an annular base portion mounted on the projecting part and a circumferential flange extending from said base portion and including therein a radially extending opening, wherein said rotor structure includes an annular base portion mounted on the projecting part adjacent to and outwardly of said housing base portion, and a flange portion extending peripherally from said rotor structure base portion and including a peripheral groove, and wherein said lanyard extends through said opening in said housing flange and into said groove in said rotor structure. l l 

1. A control for an ignition switch including a projecting part adapted to extend through an opening in a support and having a rotary member adapted to receive a key for common rotation therewith between on and off positions, said control comprising a housing mounted on the projecting part, a rotor structure located in said housing for rotary movement between cocked and uncocked positions and including a wall extending transversely of the rotary axis of the member and having therein an aperture including angularly spaced edge means located to permit unhindered movement of the key between the off and on positions when said rotor structure is in the cocked position and to provide movement of the key from the on to the off position in response to movement of said rotor structure from the cocked to the uncocked position, and a lanyard extending into said housing and connected to said rotor structure for common movement therewith, whereby to rotate said rotor structure from the cocked position to the uncocked position in response to withdrawal of said lanyard from said housing and thereby to consequently rotate the key from the on position to the off position.
 2. A control in accordance with claim 1 and further including means for limiting rotary movement of the rotor structure relative to the housing between the cocked and uncocked positions.
 3. A control in accordance with claim 1 wherein said aperture includes two diametrically opposed and symmetrically arranged segments arranged concentrically with respect to the rotary axis of the member and wherein said edge means includes, for each of said segments, angularly spaced first and second edges located so that when said rotor structure is in the cocked position and the key is in the on position, said first edges are adjacent to the key and so that when the rotor structure is in the cocked position and the key is in the off position said second edges are located adjacent to the key.
 4. A control in accordance with claim 1 and further including means for preventing relative rotation between said housing and said switch.
 5. A control in accordance with claim 1 and further including means on said part for maintaining said rotor structure and said housing in assembled relation on said part.
 6. A control in accordance with claim 1 and further including spring means for frictionally restraining rotary movement of said rotor structure relative to said housing.
 7. A control in accordance with claim 1 and further including retaining means on the projecting part for fixing said housing relative to the switch and for permitting rotation of said rotor structure relative to and within said housing, and means located between said retaining means and said housing and bearing against said rotor structure for frictionally restraining rotary movement thereof relative to said housing.
 8. A control in accordance with claim 1 wherein said housing includes an annular base portion mounted on the projecting part and a circumferential flange extending from said base portion and including therein a radially extending opening, wherein said rotor structure includes an annular base portion mounted on the projecting part adjacent to and outwardly of said housing base portion, and a flange portion extending peripherally from said rotor structure base portion and including a peripheral groove, and wherein said lanyard extends through said opening in said housing flange and into said groove in said rotor structure. 